Sweet Corn-y CornbreadI love that cornbread has countless variations. This version contains a little sugar for sweetness and whole-kernel corn. Don't worry if you can't get fresh corn (or don't want to deal with cutting fresh corn off the cob.) Frozen corn works just fine!

Weekend Pear Bundt Cake Recipe Why do I call this "weekend" pear cake? Well, because the cake contains homemade pear sauce (it is made just like applesauce). The cake isn't hard to make. It just takes a little time--making the perfect cake to make on the weekend!

Sour Cream Gluten-Free Coffee CakeElizabeth BarboneThis coffee cake is unbelievable. It is super moist and super easy to make! I made this coffee cake for the morning show on WNYT recently and it was a hit. The next time you are in the mood for coffee cake, you MUST try this recipe. . . . keep reading

Apple Cider MuffinsElizabeth BarboneApple cider doughnuts are an ever-popular fall treat in the Northeast. I was inspired by their flavor and created these wonderful muffins. The flavor celebrates the best of fall AND they are really easy to make! . . . keep reading

Lemon Poppy Zucchini BreadElizabeth BarboneThis gluten-free recipe is a twist on two classics: Lemon Poppy Seed Bread and Zucchini Bread. It is easy to make and yields two great loaves--one for enjoying now and one for the freezer . . . keep reading

Hearty Cornbread MuffinsI always seem to bake more cornbread in the summer than any other time of year. I think it goes so well with summer foods: fried chicken, dinner salads, and barbecues. This recipe adds a little punch to traditional cornbread. It contains whole kernel corn and cheddar cheese. Spread with just a little soft butter, these muffins are sure to win you compliments. . . . keep reading

Cream SconesSummer fruits call for biscuits and scones. This recipe uses heavy cream to produce a scone that is soft and crumbly all at the same time--just as a good scone should be. Serve these with whipped cream and the freshest berries you can find. . . . keep reading

Brown Sugar Pound CakeDear Elizabeth,
My sister recently made a pound cake that I am dying to try! It is a brown sugar pound cake. She brought it to a family party and I could smell the butter, vanilla and brown sugar from across the room. Of course, her version wasn't gluten-free. I had to be content to just sniff the air. Boy, was that hard! Would you please convert the recipe?
Julia K.
Dear Julia,
What an awful temptation. The cake is fantastic. I hope you share the gluten-free recipe with your sister so she can bring a "safe" dessert for you to enjoy at your next get together.
Elizabeth . . . keep reading

Buttermilk Corn SticksWhile I was a student at the Culinary Institute of America, I had to make corn sticks everyday during my class at the American Bounty restaurant. Four corn stick pans, made out of cast iron, where placed on a large sheet pan. This pan was incredibly heavy. Once day a fellow student backed into me just as I was taking a corn stick pan out of the oven. His force pushed the hot pan against my forearm. The pan was so hot, I could hear my skin burning, sizzling really. It was the worst burn I received while at the CIA. (In fact, I think it is the worst burn I have ever received.)

It is a testament to how much I love these corn sticks that I still make them after this experience--and I do. The corn sticks require special pans. You can find them at cooking shops. . . .

Yogurt MuffinsWhile I love muffins that are packed with goodies, sometimes I just want a plain muffin in the morning. This recipe, for slightly sweet, slightly tangy muffins is ideal for those days when a hot cup of tea and "something plain" is all my stomach wants. They freeze beautifully. So, even if you don't want something plain every morning, make a batch of these muffins and freeze them. Then, when the mood strikes, you will be all set. . . . keep reading

Winter Lemon BreadMy love affair with the lemon grows in the winter. After the tree has been taken down and the lights put away, my home feels a little "blah." I like to put a big bowl of lemons (and sometimes oranges and grapefruits) in the kitchen. The fragrance is enough to shake anyone out of the winter doldrums. Plus, the lemons coax me into the kitchen. Holiday baking is over but that doesn't mean that warm, comfort baking must stop. One of my favorite lemon recipes is lemon bread. I usually make it on a Friday night and by Sunday there rarely is any left. It's one of those good breads that everyone picks at throughout the weekend. This isn't a problem for me. I have a bowl of lemons just waiting to be used... . . . keep reading

Sweet Potato BiscuitsWhen I first saw a recipe for sweet potato biscuits, I thought the name sounded almost like an oxymoron. How could biscuits contain sweet potatoes. Biscuits are light and fluffy. Sweet potatoes are dense and fibrous. I didn't think it would work. Of course, when I think a recipe shouldn't work, I try it. Much to my surprise the biscuits did work and they weren't heavy!

Since the biscuits require cooked, mashed sweet potatoes, they are a perfect way to use a few leftover Thanksgiving sweet potatoes. I usually serve them with ham, but this time of the year, I think they would be ideal with turkey! . . .

Apple Cider DoughnutsI love cider doughnuts. Did you hear me? I LOVE cider doughnuts. Honestly, most of the year, I don't give doughnuts a second thought, but when October rolls around I'm in the mood for doughnuts. You might be scratching your head wondering what makes cider doughnuts so special. Well, let me tell you! Cider doughnuts are bursting with the flavors of fall. You see, while these doughnuts might look similar to a plain doughnut tossed in cinnamon-sugar, they are so much more. Beneath the crunchy cinnamon-sugar coating, you're treated to a light doughnut abounding with spices and the essence of fresh apple cider. . . . keep reading

Shoo-Fly Coffee CakeDear Elizabeth,
My sister first made this coffee cake for me in 1976 when I visited her new home in Pennsylvania. Is there anyway you could convert the recipe?
Moria K.

Vermont
Moira,
Until you sent your sister's recipe, I had never heard of "Shoo Fly" coffee cake. The molasses flavor makes for such a nice coffee cake, I'm surprised more recipes don't include it. Here is the recipe, enjoy it!
Elizabeth . . .

Zucchini MuffinsIt's that time of year again! Gardens are bursting with zucchini. This recipe is ideal for zucchini that are too big. You know the ones! Neighbors famously drop off monstrously large zucchinis. Really big zucchini are usually tough and lackluster when cooked. Not in this recipe! Shred that zucchini and use it to make these muffins. I promise the muffins will be wonderfully moist and flavorful! . . . keep reading

Coconut Cherry Carrot BreadDoesn't this bread sound lovely? I'm always looking for unique quick breads and reader Lynn Ferrannini's bread certainly qualifies as a unique quick bread. Just the name, coconut cherry carrot, is a mouthful! This dense quickbread was a delight to develop. The flavors come together to create a wonderful damp spicy bread. The next time you travel, wrap one of these loaves with parchment paper and tie with a thick gossamer bow. It's a perfect hostess gift.
Thanks, Lynn, for the request . . . keep reading